‘I miss her every day’

Student launches fundraiser five years after death of sister

Veterinary nurse Belinda went to her GP in 2008 after discovering a lump in her breast.

Tragically, she was given the devastating news that she had stage three breast cancer.

Belinda battled against the disease for just over four years, undergoing a double mastectomy and drug treatment.

She died in January 2013 aged just 28.

Now, sister Chrisanne English, 35, a University of Dundee politics and philosophy graduate, has launched a fundraising effort for Pretty in Pink.

The charity supports people going through similar situations as her sister.

Usually, Belinda’s friends and family would come together and celebrate with a few tequilas — in a nod to her favourite saying: “when life gives you lemons, pour a tequila”.

Chrisanne said: “Belinda was my younger sister and we were close.

“She was caring, funny and generous with everything she had.

“But most of all she was better craic than me and she’d love to hear me admit that. I miss her every day.

“Unfortunately throughout her illness Belinda encountered plenty of reasons to indulge in her favourite saying. It seemed only fitting to remember her this way after she died.

“Every year her Facebook page populates with pictures of lemon-topped shots on January 26.

“This year, however, her friends and family felt we should use the opportunity to fundraise for a charity that was close to Belinda’s heart.

“We chose the charity Pretty in Pink which helps women i n similar circumstances.”

People who want to contribute to the fund can visit: j ustgiving.com/ fundraising/chrisanne-english.

A STUDENT has launched a fundraiser to commemorate the fifth anniversary of her sister’s death.

Chrisanne with her sister Belinda, who died in 2013 after she battled breast cancer. The picture was taken the day before she died.